N.H. gun safety group buoyed by billionaire's pledge

PORTSMOUTH — The state chapter of a national organization to combat gun violence is benefiting from a new partnership announced Wednesday led by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

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By Deborah McDermott

seacoastonline.com

By Deborah McDermott

Posted Apr. 17, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Deborah McDermott
Posted Apr. 17, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — The state chapter of a national organization to combat gun violence is benefiting from a new partnership announced Wednesday led by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The state chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, co-founded by Portsmouth resident Janet Groat, launched its own education effort yesterday to coincide with the announcement.

Bloomberg announced Wednesday the formation of Everytown for Gun Safety, which he said will "house" Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns. He also pledged $50 million this year toward the new organization's efforts.

Everytown will act as an umbrella organization for Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group founded by Bloomberg and former Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Both groups will maintain their own leadership structure.

For Moms Demand Action, the importance of Everytown cannot be understated, Groat said.

"This is a powerful partnership," she said. Moms Demand Action started as a grass-roots organization and, as such, has had limited access to policy experts. That has changed now.

"They have policy expertise and a research staff," she said. "If I'm working on an issue, I can call someone in New York. They will know what other states have tried that, what other states are doing. So we can have a richer conversation (at the state level) — this has been tried, this worked, this didn't, these were the objections."

Groat said the partnership will allow the state chapters and the national organization to more effectively counter pro-gun groups such as the National Rifle Association. In New Hampshire, several bills that came before the Legislature were targeted by the NRA and other pro-gun organizations for defeat.

As for how the $50 million will be spent, and whether any will come specifically to New Hampshire, that remains uncertain, said Everytown communications director Erika Soto Lamb.

"Mayor Bloomberg announced today his commitment to spend $50 million, part of which will be through Everytown for Gun Safety and part will be through his personal expenditures. But he has not yet indicated the share or specifics of this investment," she said.

The New Hampshire chapter of Moms Demand Action began last October and currently has 500 members, Groat said. On Wednesday, members of the local chapter gathered to launch a statewide public education campaign with an eye toward the November elections.

A "gun sense voter campaign" was launched in the Granite State and nationwide, with the goal to "engage voters to make a commitment to make gun policy a top priority in how they vote."

She said Moms Demand Action is undertaking a "vigorous voter outreach program" in the coming months. She said members will be knocking on doors, going to town fairs and other events, as well as visiting stores. "We know how to set up tables and talk to people," she said.

While Moms Demand Action is open to anyone, Groat said most of its members are mothers.

"Moms can be a critical voice in moving this issue front and center," she said. "We're working from our passion and we're willing to keep this going."